Tuesday, April 26, 2011

For those who are not aficionados of catastrophic anthropogenic global warming (CAGW) the manifestos present little choice. The question is not "Who represents me?", for none of the parties do, but "Which party is least enthusiastic about CAGW?"

The Green Party, (which I have not always included, though they are expected to pick up at least one seat in the Lothians), is, of course, closest to a full-on CAGW position.

The full SNP manifesto is full of little things designed to be seen as business incentives as well as 'green' measures. They are proud of piloting through the 'groundbreaking' 2009 Scottish Climate Change Act with its emissions targets, at that time, beyond those of any other country. And their manifesto indicates they are keen to keep up that momentum with a pledge for 100% renewable regeneration of electricity by 2020 (up from the 40% target when they were elected in 2007).

Despite the criticism of the inequitable and iniquitous feed-in tariffs, the Lib Dems and Labour are particularly keen to extend this particular style of public subsidy. There is a review under way which will begin to tame them at the UK level. On another issue Labour, of course have now joined the Conservatives as being in favour of nuclear energy, at least in principle.

And the Conservatives (despite my best efforts) are still worshiping at the feet of the Great Green God of global warming - but at least more cautiously than the other parties.

Still, some of the measures proposed might lead to more efficiency - which is good. The problem is locating those which might have good impacts when you strip out the CAGW belief system, based as it is on flawed science and sentiment.